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One patient on a gynaecological ward said: ‘Some nights there was only one nurse on for at least ten patients – it’s not fair on the nurses or the patients.’

Patients who had one-to-one support from specialist nurses had significantly higher rates of satisfaction across all aspects of their care.

The survey, commissioned by the Department of Health, was released alongside a study showing that one-to-one support for cancer patients could save the NHS £89million by reducing unnecessary hospital stays and GP visits.

It also revealed shortcomings in information given to patients, with half missing out on necessary financial help and 42 per cent failing to get the information they needed to cope at home.

Royal College of Nursing chief Dr Peter Carter says specialist nurses should be protected from cuts

John Neate, chief executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said prostate patients were getting better care than a decade ago.

But he added: ‘The survey shows that too many men are not given information on side-effects and on the support that should be available in dealing with them.

‘One in five men is also not given access to the expert support of a clinical nurse specialist in working through these complex issues – well below provision for other common cancers.

‘There are also considerable regional variations in men’s experience of the disease. World-class services must be available to all men affected by prostate cancer, regardless of where they live.’

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said specialist nurses should be protected from short-term cutbacks which led to reductions five years ago.

He said: ‘The Government should heed the calls of patients and preserve the lifeline which many rely on.’

Jane Hatfield, director of policy and research at Breast Cancer Care, criticised the lack of access to nurses on wards. She said: ‘This survey reveals unacceptable variations in standards of care across the country and between certain patient groups.

‘As an organisation providing information and support to people affected by breast cancer, we are concerned that only 57 per cent of the families of people with breast cancer got the information they needed and over half of breast cancer patients did not get information or advice on the financial impact of their diagnosis.

‘The results clearly show the crucial role which clinical nurse specialists play in patients’ experience of care.

While the majority of breast cancer patients have access to a specialist nurse it is very worrying that women over 75 are less likely to get this vital support.’